How To Make A Rug.

So ya’ll know that sometimes I get these ideas. And these ideas kind of grow until they have a life of their own. And once they grow to that size there is just no stopping them.

Such was the case with the rug in my living room.

This was my perfect rug. Zebra, Gray, Not to jaggedy, Big stripes, 5×8 and only $600.00 Son-of-a. Good bye perfect rug.

So I decided to make my own. I got 2 rugs. The 5×8 white one is from Home Depot ($77.00) the 4×7 gray one is from Walmart ($19.00) *Note: If you use 2 that are the same size you can technically make 2 rugs.

Oh and you will see my house progressively get messier as the pics go on…nice.

I unrolled the white one face down and drew on the back where I wanted my stripes.

The I used a box cutter with a new blade (it has to be sharp…it makes it SOOOO much easier) and cut out my pieces. I actually did this with the second rug underneath and the razor on the shortest settings so I didn’t ruin my wood floors.

Then I laid my “patterns” on the second rug

And traced them out.

Then using my box cutter I cut them out. This time I did it in my daughters room on her carpet…you know, cause of my floors.

Then you start piecing it together.

The tape that I used is pressure sensitive seaming tape. If you are using the same pile height of carpet you *may* be able to use normal carpet tape that you melt the glue with a seaming iron BUT I would recommend this so much. It is soooo sticky and lets face it. I am not an exact person so even though my lines weren’t perfect everywhere it still worked. You can only buy it at specialty carpet supply stores, the one I bought mine at in St. George is GS Distributing. The brand is Orcon, it was about $6.00 a box and I used 5.

I actually found about 1/2 way through that it was easier to tape it from the back so that is what I am going to show you. That way you can trim where it overlaps. Like the pic below.

Then you tape over it.

I am sure you are wondering about binding it. I just made sure that each of the pieces that touched an edge had binding on them, ( I didn’t cut them out of the middle of the rug) and it lined up pretty great.

Oh and this is what the back looked like when it was all done:

Not so cute. But no one is going to see that….

I love it. The total cost was $119.00 and about 4 hours.

Let me know if you have any questions!!

UPDATE 2/19/11

Just to answer a few questions! The finished rug size is 5×8.

If I had 2 rugs that were the same size to begin with then I would have 2 rugs. I couldn’t find the right gray in a 5×8 so that is why I bought a 4×7. BUT if you can find what you want in the same size totally do it! Its like 2 rugs for the price of 1! Or you and a girlfriend could each buy a rug and do them together….

As far as durability, I am sure that there will be some shedding since it isn’t seamed *perfectly* everywhere. But my plan is if it starts to fray really bad, to put a line of hot glue along the edge to seal it. (after I trim all of the threads etc.)

There was also a wonderful suggestion to glue the back of it to a drop cloth. On Monday I am going to find out what the best adhesive to do that would be and I will let you guys know how it goes!

what the!??!?! huh? you made that? the room is spinning…i can’t breathe. That is AMAZING! Seriously, I never would have thought of that and even if I did…I don’t think I could pull it off like that! oh and i might copy your wall art…if I do…I’ll let you know!

horrified state of happy shock – YUP those are my exact words! Can you come to Boise , Idaho and visit for the weekend – we have alot to do girl and I might need you into next week as well! Let me know right away! OHH and Roy well he is darlin!!! Love you big -

Are you FREAKING kidding me?? That looks amazing! I honestly stared at your first picture. For 5 minutes. I was all, “that is NOT her living room! No it ISN’T!”. I am amazed. The rug is amazing. The walls– holy crap. I’m also jealous of your floor.

WOW – no questions yet, but love the idea – it seriously looks like that is how you bought it! I was fooled from the get go when I saw the first picture of your zebra rug! Love your living room. It looks amazing!Mandi, I so want to be like you when I get some motivation & get my creative juices goin’ on!

Well done that girl!!!!That really is a wonderful rug! BUT – did you make a second one with the reverse pieces? Cos you could probably sell that to anyone on here and cover your costs (at least!).And why not glue some canvas or even hessian on the back to make sure it doesn’t shed any more and holds together? You use rubber cement for the glueing.Again, awesome and amazing.I stumbled upon your blog this week, love it! Hugs from Jasmine Down Under.

You amaze me! I just would like a little peek into your mind! oH, by the way I found the cutest red velvet bench at the St. George DI today. And I thought to myself, “Self, it is a good thing that you found this before Mandi did, cuz I know she would have snatched it up!” Haha! now to recover it. I just need a little inspiration. Hopefully it won’t sit in my garage forever, while I wait for this so called inspiration and the perfect piece of fabric. Wish me luck!

UMMM…WOW! I’m so jealous. I have been trying to figure out how to make my own rug for my living room for 6 months now. Never once did the thought of cutting 2 cheaper rugs to make one rug of awesomeness run through my head. I was thinking I would have to weave my own rug! Lol! This is so much better than that! Thanks for sharing your amazing ideas!knuckle pow!Tasha

This is very, very nice. I like it so much better than the $600 one you wanted. The different piled carpet adds such a luxerious texture.

One question, how does it hold up? Maybe you haven’t had it out long, but in a few months could you mention briefly in another post how it’s doing? Because I love it, and want to make it, but I’m always concerned about long term stability with projects I make. If I am going to work that long on hard on something, I am going to get attached and so I want it a very long time!

That is such a good idea, which is why I’ve never thought of it. Even if I would have thought of it I would have been afraid to try it. Yours turned out great and so cool. I love your blog. You have a really good writing style and your projects are always interesting and fun.

I bow in humble adoration to your freakin’ amazing awesomeness. You are a DIY genius.

ps. Would you please stop stealing my ideas before I have them? I just had a similar idea TODAY before I even saw this post. What the Heck?! Again, I’m not worthy because you are the MISTRESS OF AWESOME!

I do have one question- maybe I’m totally missing it, but what was the final size of the rug? I noticed the gray rug was smaller, and the shag was a bigger rug, so how did those manage to connect and piece together? Was the final rug the size of the smaller, gray rug?

Thanks for the help, and I “third” the question about the durability! The rubber glue/canvas idea sounds good, too!

Phenomenal. So the whole time I thought the first picture was of the $600 rug you wanted, then I got to the end and I was like “WHA WHA WHAT?!” That IS the rug you made. I’m speechless. I only wish I didn’t live 50 miles away from the nearest home depot and walmart.

As for the durability I just finished it this morning so I hae no cue about the long run durability. The tape is SOOOO strong and sticky that I dont think it will fall apart, however I usualy just vaccuum my rugs and not shake them out.

Idol worship will start now! This is too amazing! how do you keep coming up with this stuff. You will easily gett 200 comments on this baby! Project of the year!!! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

I think this is awesome. Being a 53 yr.old, I would probably add the canvas on the back for the long haul. However, under a coffee table it will hold up well, I am sure for stability,etc. I think you are super creative and I love it better than the expensive one. The different pile is beautiful and looks so exclusive! I am truly amazed! You go, Girl!! <3, <3 the decor!! JuJu

OMG!! This is absolutely the most amazing thing that I have ever seen. I live in a small town and basically my rug shopping is limited to walmart. I have been wanting a new rug but can not find one I like and I really don’t want to buy one online. Now I know that I can just make my own. Thank you so much for sharing. I’m trowing my first link party Monday. It would be great if you would stop by and add this tutorial. http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/

I love it!! It looked like a messy job, but so fun! I’ve been looking for a perfect rug in my house! This just might be my ticket! Thanks for sharing on Funky Junk! I’m your newest follower and can’t wait to see what you decide! I hope you have a blessed day! http://brandlarge.blogspot.comPlease check me out and become a follower!

Oh my gosh, I’m 48 and just getting into this crafting thing…. And I must say you and many of the other younger women I’ve been looking into are just plain genius!! I am loving all of it, but this carpet you made takes the cake…. AMAZING!!

This is AMAZING! I just ran in the other room to show my hubby. I mentioned a while back that I was going to attempt to make my own rug because I refused to spend $800 on the one i wanted. He looked at me like I was on crack! Now I have proof that it can be done! Great job!

After seeing the first photo and before I read how you did it, I thought it was one cut (white) rug, attached to a whole (uncut) bottom rug. If the bottom rug was woven, mat style, that might work well, though I’d have to look into adhesives for that. What a wonderful idea you have shared–thank you!

WOW! I just discovered your blog when someday Crafts linked it to their site and I am BLOWN away! Even my husband thought it was the coolest thing he’s ever seen on a craft blog. He usually makes fun of little projects on blogs but he got all excited about this rug. Very awesome and I love your style!

This is awesome! FYI: If your rugs are both the same size, cut them out together (one on top of the other). It takes half the time and your pieces will fit together perfectly! (If you make one piece too wide, for example, it would be relpicated on the other rug, so no “mistake”!)

Spectacular and genius. The tape should work fine, I believe it is ‘Flor’ carpeting that sells their carpet tiles to be pieced together and they sell some kind of tape spots to put them together on the back very similar to this. But their rugs can’t hold a candle to the deliciousness of yours.

OMGOSH!!!!! Thank you s00000 much for posting this fabulous project! You truly are talented and inspiring! I cannot wait to make a mess doing this rug I think I’m gonna convince my sister to do this with me/2 rugs!!!

This would be so great in so many designs/patterns with your idea here; I’m already thinking of ideas for my 1 year old son’s room………. maybe in his name???? He would love that!

okay so i have been following your blog for a while now not on this blog on my personal blog and i keep coming back to this rug im in love I’m thinking of doing one for myself but i need to ask you how did it hold up if you could email me back that would be perfect kurtism_ccfd@hotmail.comthanks,Mandi

So my sister and I tackled this project yesterday. We finished one fantastic rug and have the extra pieces for a second one. We used leftover carpet my sister pulled from her bedroom remodeling job and a super cheap indoor/outdoor rug from Menards. The total cost for the whole project was around $40! Love, love, love it! Thanks so much for the idea!

OMG– my husband is going to pee his pants when he comes home to find me cutting rugs up someday (in the very near future, thanks to you!). This is an AWESOME idea! We’ve been without a rug in our living room for the last year since the one I’ve been lusting over is over $400.

I found this tutorial through pintrest, and I’m totally blown away. I even put the link up on my husband’s FB. I’ve been eyeing a rug with a river rock type design for quite some time. Problem is, I need one to cover a large area & boy! The price rose dramatically from one size to another. It has different textures & piles just like your zebra rug. After reading yours I’m ready to tackle this project of my own. I can’t wait! Thanks so much for this tutorial. Wish me luck! I’ve put this off for so long! I’m so excited!

I might adhere one of the cheapie rug pads under it so that it wouldn’t slip around. Or possibly use a old hunk of kitchen vinyl flooring and glue the rug to it. You’d get a little cushion from the flooring and some stability for the rug long term.

Ooo, this is UHHHmazing!!! I love it so much! I too have been searching for the perfect zebra rug that doesn’t cost a zillion dollars. I have a cheater idea…what if you took the same white 5′ x 7′ rug…and figured out your desired pattern…and just cut the shag down? If the pile was long enough, wouldn’t it just make the cut part a shorter shag? Then you could dye / paint the shorter sections?? Do you have any experience with dying rugs? Maybe this is a crazy idea…but it might just work….Hmmm….LOVE your blog! besos, Jasmine

I just started reading your blog a few months ago and today was just clicking around archives to see what I missed before I started reading regularly. Holy goodness gracious this is an amazing DOABLE idea! I haven’t been able to find a rug anywhere near my price range and this could completely work, thank you

just found this on pinterest! im in love with this. im going to attempt to do this in leopard print but was wondering would it be possible, (in your case) to have just attached all the white pieces to the entire gray instead of cutting both.

Actually, I think I now get it. Both become pieces that you need to patch together to make one rug. I think what threw me is it looks like one is glued on top due to the height and/or texture of the two rugs.

I love it so much I can hardly stand it!!! I just have one suggestion, instead of cutting two rugs why not use a flat woven rug & glue the cut outs on top of it? Way less work & you wouldn’t need a drop cloth as another diy-er had suggested. It looks amazing either way.